Tag: Ortofon Concorde Music Black

New Arrival: Concorde Music Black – First Impressions

Something new and exciting has landed in the Burning the Ground setup – my brand-new Concorde Music Black cartridge has arrived!

I’m currently in the early stages of breaking it in, which means I’ve been spinning record after record (not exactly a hardship). I’m giving it a proper workout across a variety of pressings and genres to let it really settle into its groove.

Let me tell you—it’s not often I swap out a cartridge and immediately hear such a dramatic difference. But this time? Night and day. The clarity, the depth, the punch… it’s all there. Everything feels more alive, more present, more musical. It’s one of those rare upgrades that makes you want to go back and rediscover your entire vinyl collection.

Needless to say, I’m already looking forward to transferring some vinyl with this beauty. Can’t wait to hear how it handles some of my favorite 12″ mixes and rare cuts.

More updates to come once the break-in period is complete, but for now—I’m impressed.

Stay tuned,
Paul

Quick Update – New Cartridge Incoming!

Hey everyone,

Just a quick heads-up — there won’t be a post today because I’m waiting on a new piece of gear that should arrive tomorrow: the Ortofon Concorde Music Black stylus and cartridge.

This new cartridge is replacing my four-year-old Ortofon 2M Black Plug & Play MkII, which has been my go-to since April 2021. It’s served me faithfully for thousands of rips, but it’s time to give it a well-earned retirement. Rather than just replace the stylus, I decided to go with the full Concorde Music Black cartridge — and here’s why:

Even though it looks different, the Concorde Music Black is essentially identical to the 2M Black in terms of sound and performance:

  • Both use the Nude Shibata stylus for ultra-precise tracking and top-tier detail.

  • They share the same moving magnet generator system and specs, offering that signature rich, dynamic Ortofon sound.

  • Frequency response, channel balance, and output levels are all nearly identical.

The biggest difference is the design. The Concorde version features an integrated headshell that plugs directly into my Technics SL-1200MK7 — no screws, no cartridge alignment, no hassle. Just plug in, set the tracking force (1.8g), and drop the needle.

👉 Ortofon Concorde Music Black – Official Product Page

A Huge Thank You

I also want to take a moment to thank everyone who has donated to Burning the Ground. This cartridge upgrade was made possible because of your support. Your donations directly fund the gear I use to preserve and share these amazing 12″ mixes — from cartridges and styli to software and equipment upkeep. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.

Once the new cartridge arrives and I’ve had a chance to break it in, I’ll be back with more music magic. Thanks again for sticking with me — and for being part of this music-loving community.

Stay tuned,
Paul